New global initiative calls for more international attention to Azerbaijan's mine problem

A group of foreign NGOs and civil society activists have initiated a petition called “Global Advocacy for a Mine-Free World”.

The petition was posted on October 10 on the international platform Jotform as part of the international campaign “World for Peace in the Caucasus,” Caliber.Az reports.

The petition states that mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a serious threat to the health, life, and safety of civilians, and mines continue to kill and maim people even during the post-conflict period leading to lifelong disabilities.

The campaign appeals to the UN and states that 60 million people around the world are still at risk from mines. Azerbaijan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Angola, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Vietnam are among the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world.

In the document, along with other countries, a large focus was put on Azerbaijan. It is noted that Azerbaijan is seriously suffering from the mine problem. Over the past 30 years, more than 3,400 people have been victims of mines in Azerbaijan, of which 90 per cent are civilians.

The authors of the campaign claim that Armenia has mined the territories of Azerbaijan, and this process did not stop even after the 44-day war in 2020. The situation was taken under control only after Azerbaijan established a border checkpoint on the Lachin road.

The initiators of the petition are horrified that after the latest anti-terrorism measures carried out by the Azerbaijani army on September 19-20 this year, Azerbaijan discovered that the remnants of the Armenian armed forces had placed at least half a million additional mines along the 480-kilometre line around the Garabagh region. They demand that Armenia immediately hand over maps of newly installed mines to Azerbaijan.

Foreign NGOs and civil society activists welcome the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev to declare the goal “A world without mines” as the 18th UN Sustainable Development Goal and call on the UN to increase attention to the global mine problem.

The appeal has already caused a major stir, with more than 100 civil society activists from around 10 countries saying they have joined the global campaign to mobilize against landmines and support a global solution to the problem.

To sign the petition, follow the link.